The Angel Express, Chicago, Illinois - 12:02 PM
Most of Sol Ligatus had gone its separate ways after breakfast, though Kayla and Jeff said they would wait for me to get changed. Their work was closest to the train and wouldn’t take more than a few hours, so I didn’t rush them out the door like Jamie and Mercury.
I emerged from my room on my Heelies, happy to have them back. Since I had them, I no longer needed Kedjen’s Khopesh for its chariot mode. It was better to leave that here with them, which was good because that was how Jamie was getting around town. Her missions took her farthest from home, and the reduced travel time made things a lot easier.
Entering the dining car, I was met by Corwin getting up from his bed in the corner to greet me. The yellow labradoodle’s tail wagged as he pushed his body against mine, looking back at Kayla and Jeff as if to show off that I was petting him. Which I was. Pretty quickly, too.
“Bethany left you some going away presents,” Kayla said as she stood up from the table. Her mug disappeared when she walked away, reclaimed by the dining car.
I glanced at the bar. There were ten small vials waiting for me with no note or labels. Some of them held a purple and gold potion that swirled without being touched, while the others were green and looked much more mundane. I reached out and tapped them to get their descriptions.
<<<>>>
[[Item]]
Arcane Breakfast Tea
When imbibed, restore 20% of your Mental Points.
<<<>>>
“Awesome,” I said to myself as I counted them out. These were the ones with the purple and gold liquid inside. They were the rare ones that Bethany couldn’t make a lot of. We only had one of the tea plants that were necessary for this kind of potion, so it was slow going.
The others were much more common, though that didn’t make them less useful. I had six of them.
<<<>>>
[[Item]]
Healing Green Tea
When imbibed, restore 25% of your HP.
<<<>>>
That was a lot better than the tea I had in my inventory already, which randomly healed between 5% to 20% of my hit points. Sweeping my hand across the counter, I brought them all into my inventory.
“You don’t have to swipe open your menu to put stuff inside anymore?” Jeff asked as he followed his wife.
“Nope,” I answered. “Came out of the Trial with the ability to summon and put away things from my inventory at will.
He crossed his arms. “Huh. Was that how you kept pulling out new things during our fight without going through the motions?”
“Yup,” I said with a grin. “It’s pretty fun. Wish I could steal people’s stuff with it, but I can’t. It’s an unfortunate restriction.”
“It would probably be too strong,” Kayla mused. “Imagine reaching out and pulling someone’s armor off of them. Or taking Killer Queen when it was lodged through your lung. You could continue to deprive anyone you’re fighting of their gear, removing skills, passives, and stats until they had nothing to protect themselves with.”
“Yeah, why do you think I called it an unfortunate restriction?” I asked, waggling my eyebrows.
Kayla snorted and rolled her eyes before attempting to push me towards the door. “Come on, psychic boy. Let’s get you out of here.”
I let her push me, stepping across the gap and onto the platform. Corwin was right behind me. “If the skill was something more widely available, I’d be happy with the restriction,” I said. “But this is the first time I’ve seen this. It’s basically a poorer version of some of the transportation classes. Like Delivery Driver, or Inventoryman.”
“Really, Inventoryman?” Kayla asked incredulously. “That’s not actually the name of a class, is it?”
“It is,” I chuckled. “One of the stronger ones, actually. They can do what you described, with pulling equipment off of others, but they only get boosts to things like carrying capacity, sharing their inventories with others, and other stuff. They do get a bunker ability where they open their inventory like some kind of storage unit, which is neat. Only thing is, they’re not meant to be fighters.”
“But that can easily be fixed with skills and passives,” Jeff pointed out.
“True, but nobody becomes an Inventoryman if they want to fight,” I replied, opening the door outside and letting them go out first. The air was comfortably cool. “Some try, of course. There’s monsters running around and it’s the apocalypse, so, there’s always some types who want to be heroic, but very few succeed. There won’t be any in the end game push against Hell, that’s for certain.”
“Speaking of Hell,” Kayla said quietly, as if that would help. “Do you think that we need to worry about a certain someone coming after us because we’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing?”
I understood what she meant, and I looked up in thought. It hadn’t even occurred to me. There was certainly a risk that Aaron would send whoever his champion was after the group, but something about it seemed unlikely.
“I don’t think so,” I started slowly. “From what I gathered, they want a competition. Them versus Sara, his champion versus me. I don’t think you all are even on his radar at all, honestly. Like, I’m sure he knows you exist, but I don’t think he’ll care. On top of that, we have no idea who this champion is going to be, but they’re going to have to be playing catch up really hard. I doubt they’ll be ready to take on Sol Ligatus before I’m back. Any insight, Sara?”
<<<>>>
[[Patron Message]]
I think you’re right. There’s always a chance that our expectations are subverted, but I think it’s low. Especially before you get back.
The amount of work they’re going to have to do to somehow catch up to you will be so time-consuming that they’ll likely have to stay away from major population centers and instead go from region to region looking for opportunities to snatch MVP status from the locals. And, unlike you, they’re probably not going to be considerate about it.
Speaking of, when are you planning on spending some of those? Your MVP Token has a few entries on it now. You could increase your stats and at least one of your abilities.
Sincerely yours,
Sara
<<<>>>
“I’m planning on saving that for later. Also, Sara agrees,” I said before looking back down at the Mills. “They’re going to be way too busy to risk losing to you all. Even if they tried, you guys are a crack team of some of the most powerful people in North America. There are some weak spots, sure, but they’re very quickly being corrected. You two might not realize this because you’re using Jamie as a benchmark, but the vast majority of people are far, far below you.”
“Well, she makes a much better benchmark than you do,” Jeff replied before looking down at his wife. “And who might be coming after us? Another Jeremiah situation?”
Kayla patted him on the arm. “Don’t worry about it. If it becomes a problem, and it seems like it’ll be a big if, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
It took him a moment, but he nodded, trusting her words. Kayla leaned against her knight as they walked side by side next to the railroad tracks, and I smiled.
“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to bring this up, but I noticed that your rings had been switched out,” I said, raising my hand and wiggling my fingers. “Something happen?”
“Something I’m still apologizing for to this day,” Jeff replied sourly. He put his arm around Kayla. “Sorry again, Kay.”
The Double Agent’s aura became a little frostier, but she nodded. I imagined she was probably tired of hearing him say that by now.
“Jeff came clean on the special ability of Gareth’s Twinned Ring,” she answered before giving me the side eye. “Which I’m assuming you knew about, Anthony.”
“You’re right, I did,” I said, and she turned her head to give me a stern look. “But I also wasn’t about to get between a man and his wife. Especially when that man is Jeffry ‘Golden Retriever Knight’ Mills.”
“Not you, too, boss,” Jeff whined.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Hey, if a nickname fits then it fits, man,” I laughed. “Mercury got you spot on with that one.”
Kayla’s stern look cracked at my words, and she shook her head. “The rings were powerful, yes, but I wasn’t about to continue wearing the damn thing if it meant that one slip up from me could cause Jeff’s death,” she said. “I got rid of those death traps as soon as I possibly could. The boost is nice, sure, but I’m never going to be willing to take the risks associated with it. Jeff should have known that.”
“That’s fair,” I said, eying her sheepish Knight. Given what Kayla knew of the past runs and how much she knew she needed Jeff, I wasn’t surprised that she had tossed it at the first opportunity. It was the kind of decision I had come to expect from her. “Though you didn’t, like, toss it in the trash or something, right?”
She shook her head. “With Sara’s advice on what to haggle for, we traded the Dealer for a pair of rings that wouldn’t kill my husband and some points to make up the difference.”
“That’s where you got the Buffer’s Circle spell, wasn’t it?” I asked.
“Correct. It also has a separate spell for creating magic circles for trapping summoned creatures,” she added. “Given that we’re going to be dealing with something similar when we visit Memphis after this.”
“Good call,” I said, nodding approvingly. “That’s probably going to be your toughest fight by far, just so you know. There’s a lot to watch out for; the blue shoes, devils in disguises, an extended Christmas catalog, the works. Some might just be covers, but they’ll pack a wallop. Careful with Corwin, too. You know, because he’s an Evolution Hound… dog.”
“Already planned for,” Jeff said, giving me a thumbs up as Kayla groaned. “Mine allows me to extend the time of a single skill by a pretty long time, by the way.”
“Perfect for Guardian Shield, huh?” I asked.
He nodded. “You got it.”
“I was wondering why it stayed out so long the first time. Mystery solved.”
The sound of a horn echoed in the tunnel we were in, and the Mills turned around to see a blue and silver passenger train coming our way on the track farthest from us. Corwin was on alert before he started growling at it, and I could see people inside pointing at us. It was decelerating so it could safely pull into Chicago Union Station.
“Corwin, come here,” Kayla ordered with a snap of her fingers. The Evolution Hound immediately followed her orders, pushing in between her and Jeff.
“Seems like my train’s here,” I said. “Any last minute questions, concerns, or rude comments?”
“Several, but they’re nothing we can’t handle,” Kayla responded with a smile.
I stopped, and they did so as well. Offering them both of my hands, the Mills looked confused but both took one with their own. Corwin moved so that he was sitting in the middle of all three of us, tail wagging.
“I’m going to get sappy for a moment,” I said, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Thank you both from the bottom of my heart. I know this hasn’t been easy for either of you. My path is one full of danger, suspense, and anxiety, but you two have truly stepped up in my absence. What I’m doing right now, running off to try and shorten everything… I don’t think I could do it without you here. Really, I’d be worried if it was the wrong choice almost the whole time.”
“You don’t have to thank us.” Jeff removed his arm from around Kayla and bumped his fist against my shoulder. “We’re here for you, boss, just like we said we were.”
“We’re in it for the long run,” the Double Agent agreed. “It may help that we both have stats that keep us calmer, but if it works, it works.”
“It certainly does, but I still want to tell you both thanks,” I said before smiling down at Kayla. “I really should have said it back in the Pitt before I sent you off. This is all because you’re stepping up while I’m gone.”
Kayla laughed. “Jeff was right, you really are buttering us up.”
“Am I not coming off as sincere?” I looked back towards the Subspace Depot. “Look, before this attempt, I went on a vacation. Spent a year and a half ignoring the world, enacting just enough of my plan to make sure I won at the end. Don't get me wrong, I love my team. Jamie, Ash, Mercury, Bethany, and those who come and go as needed.”
I sighed and looked back at the Mills. “It's gotten a bit stale. Tiring, even, doing the same thing and having the same interactions every time,” I admitted. “But, thanks to you two, not only can I do what I need to, but it's like the team has been revitalized in a way I haven't seen in a long, long time. I'm glad you’re here.”
“Well, you're sincere enough, I guess,” she said, smiling at my praise even if she seemed slightly embarrassed by it. “But you really should be getting out of here, right? Go on, and we’ll meet up with you later. If we haven’t royally screwed everything up by then, you can thank us again.”
Jeff let go of my hand and Kayla followed suit. He jerked his thumb towards the station where the train had already stopped. “Yeah, you need to get out of here. Go on.”
Nodding, I bent over to give Corwin some love. “Alright. You all be safe, then.”
It wasn’t as emotional a parting as I thought it was going to be, and I was soon buying my ticket to St. Paul in Minnesota. The process of loading and unloading happened quickly, and I just barely managed to make it into my private bedroom before the announcement that we would be leaving soon. It was larger than the roomette I had gotten from Pittsburgh to Chicago, but it was also more expensive at 150 points for the trip.
So long as there wasn’t another incident with an Angel coming after me making me have to spend the points again, the six hour ride would be fine.
<<<>>>
[[Patron Message]]
I’m still enamored with this Under Her Watchful Eyes passive you received from the Golden Dream. It feels good being able to send you messages without worrying about the cost.
I also love the fact that I can give you more quests everyday.
However, before I give you one for resting like I did before, why don’t you tell me what happens when you reach St. Paul? It’s not in your usual rotation.
Sincerely yours,
Sara
<<<>>>
“I don’t mind giving you the details, yeah,” I said aloud as I lounged on the sofa by the window. I hadn’t minded her curiosity back in the Hall of the End, and I certainly didn’t mind it now. She only had a surface level understanding of what was going on from my plans with the Dealer, so it wasn’t any trouble to fill her in on the details.
The train began to move, and I watched the city pass by. “We’re going to St. Paul, but our actual destination is the Mall of America in Bloomington. It’s huge. Not only does it have stores and restaurants like you’d find in any mall, but it’s big enough to have its own aquarium, movie theater, and even a theme park.”
<<<>>>
[[Patron Message]]
I’m assuming that none of those are still operational, considering you’re heading there.
Sincerely yours,
Sara
<<<>>>
“Got it in one,” I replied. “Though if you’re going to be sending more messages, could I ask you to leave out your name? I didn’t mind it before, but it seems out of place when we’re having an actual conversation like this. It’s not like you do it for Patron quests, either.”
<<<>>>
[[Patron Message]]
Oh, fine. We’ll do it your way.
Tell me more about this Mall of America.
<<<>>>
“Thanks, love,” I said with a smile. “The Mall of America is the epicenter of the area’s second scenario, which is called the Plastic War. At this point, the people should be…”
Pausing, I looked down in thought. I hadn’t been to Bloomington very often during this time. The second scenario boss would persist for a while even when they had beaten back its minions. Once they got inside the mall, the difficulty ramped up significantly. The casualties it caused were comparable to that of the Pharaoh.
“If I remember right, and I believe I do, the war should have been pushed back to the mall,” I said slowly. “Which means all that’s left are the bosses. They won’t work up the firepower to destroy them all for a few more weeks, but they’ll have made it that far. There’s still a lot of people who have survived this long, but only three factions are really pushing to finish the job before the others can.”
<<<>>>
[[Patron Message]]
Will you be joining one of them?
<<<>>>
I shook my head. “No. They’ve come to an agreement. If one of them is ready, they have to announce it so the others can back them up. They’re rivals, but they don’t want to see the other sides dead,” I explained. “Which is how things should be, you know? Some friendly rivalry to keep things moving forward. That’s one of the things I liked about Pittsburgh’s Guild system, it was all competitive with no actual PvP. Well, when it worked.
“But I’m straying from the point, sorry,” I said with a smile, looking back out of the window. “I’m not joining any of them. They tapped a third party Drone Aficionado named Lucas. He gets paid points to have his drones, which he powers with his class, patrol the mall’s perimeter like security guards. If any of the teams get close, he’s supposed to stop them and remind them of the rules. Since he’s remote, they can’t really threaten him.”
<<<>>>
[[Patron Message]]
And, because you’re not a part of any team, he’s going to let you in?
<<<>>>
“He’ll be reluctant, but stopping someone unaffiliated from going in on their own wasn’t really on his list of duties,” I answered with a shrug. “Some smooth talking and he’ll let me in. The area around the mall should be completely cleared out so there’s no problem there. Lucas gets some goods, I get what I’m looking for, and everyone wins.”
<<<>>>
[[Patron Message]]
Except for the three teams.
<<<>>>
I waved my hand. “They still get to loot the mall. I’m going to leave the vast majority of stuff there - and that majority is incredibly vast, by the way - except for the stuff I need. They’ll be missing out on some points, MVP status, and that’s it.”
<<<>>>
[[Patron Message]]
Why the Mall of America in particular?
<<<>>>
A grin crept onto my face. “Aside from a fight against something big enough to give the Writhing Zeppelin a run for its money? It’s got a couple of things that will help nearly guarantee a Warmongering Mystic drop after we leave Washington, which is our next stop. Honestly, I’m pretty excited for this new path. I’ve never strung these scenarios together before.”
As the train pulled out of Chicago, I found myself animated as I spoke to Sara. The restriction on her messages had really dampened our conversations in the past, but that was all gone now. My plan to get a nap in on the long trip was completely and thoroughly trashed.
I didn’t mind it one bit.